Friday, October 29, 2010

James McArthur Dies


Hawaii 5-0 Actor Dies

Actor James McArthur, best known for playing Danny Williams opposite Jack Lord's Steve McGarrett in the original CBS series, "Hawaii 5-0" died Thursday, 28 October 2010 in Florida. The action adventure series, with what may be television's most iconic theme song, aired from 1968 to 1980. Lord died in 1998. McArthur was a film, television and Broadway performer. McArthur, whose adoptive parents were actress Helen Hayes and playwright Charles McArthur, was 72.

Actress Dies at 53


Lisa Blount Dies

Actress Lisa Blount, best known for her role as Debra Winger's character's best friend (and romantic interest of David Keith) in "An Officer and a Gentleman," has died. A native of Arkansas, was living in Little Rock when she died -- she and her husband, actor and director Ray McKinnon, returned to Arkansas in 2005. She was a regular on the 1996-1997 TV series, "Profit" and co-starred opposite Billy Ray Thornton in "Chrystal" in 2004. Blount, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for "An Office and a Gentleman," was 53. Blout and McKinnon won the Academy Award for best live action short ("The Accountant") at the 74th Academy Awards on 24 March 2002. They are seen above accepting their Oscar.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

BeansTalk Ticket GIVEAWAY!




BeansTalk Big Ticket Giveaway....

TWO Tickets for the 2010 FREEDOM AWARDS

Featuring Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Camilla Belle & Two Performances by Jason Mraz!


You know how you watch award shows on TV and think, "I Wish I Was There"? Well, you could be with a big BeansTalk giveaway!

BeansTalk will giveaway two tickets, for you and a guest for the 2010 Freedom Awards on Sunday, November 7, 2010 in L.A. at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center.

Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Camilla Belle are presenters for a second year. GRAMMY Award winner Jason Mraz (who went to Ghana with Free The Slaves this Summer and said it "kick-started his heart") will be performing twice, first during the Freedom Awards and then at the Freedom Rocks After Party and Concert. Includes a pre-event reception with a performance by String Theory, reserved seating at the Freedom Awards and admission to the Freedom Rocks after party and concert featuring a special performance by GRAMMY Award Winner Jason Mraz. Free the Slaves website offers a map depicting nations with the highest density of slaves. In Ghana, $174 represents the cost of freedom, as a family is given the means to start a small-scale business. www.freetheslaves.tix.com.

TO ENTER, send an EMAIL to info@beanstalkbiz.com with FREE THE SLAVES in the subject line. That's all! We'll draw the winner and announce it on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010




California's Wild Justice

These Crime Fighters Patrol Hundreds of Miles of Land, Coastline, Rivers and Streams Throughout California, With Backup Often Miles Away

New Series from the Makers of Ice Road Truckers and Deadliest Catch,
Wild Justice Kicks Off Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 10 p.m. ET/PT; Moves to Regular Night and Time, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT Beginning December 1, 2010

Outmanned and outgunned, they patrol hundreds of miles of land, coastline, rivers and streams throughout the state of California. These are the California Game Wardens, and they’re on duty around the clock to ensure Wild Justice is brought to California residents and its animal inhabitants.

In the nation’s most populous state, people must coexist with wildlife, much of which is critically endangered, and protecting what remains is a primary mission. But more than just crimes against nature, these law officers also take on illegal drugs, dangerous fugitives and urban gangsters on a beat that stretches from residential backyards to rugged back country. The real-life bravery of the California Game Wardens is now brought to light as Nat Geo cameras ride along in the new series Wild Justice, premiering Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 10 p.m. ET/PT before moving to its regular night and time, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, beginning December 1 on the National Geographic Channel.

Whether working alone or with a canine companion, the California Game Wardens must be resourceful and self-sufficient as they patrol rural areas on foot, horseback, plane, boat or pickup truck, where backup can be miles away. And protecting endangered animals means stopping criminals before they strike in a deadly game that can play out anywhere from San Francisco’s Chinatown to the deserts, mountains and coastlands that make up one of the most diverse terrains in the nation.

Episodes include:

Wild Justice: Marijuana Mountains
Sunday, November 28, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Illegal drugs and poaching often go hand in hand. Intel leads Lieutenant Nores and the Marijuana Eradication Team to a marijuana grow site near a children’s camp. A few hundred miles north, Wardens Beals and Martignoni find drug paraphernalia after searching a parolee’s vehicle. And Captain Castillo and his squad hunt down a man suspected of poaching deer, then trading the meat for methamphetamines.

Wild Justice: Outgunned
Wednesday, December 1, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Warden Boyd and his team take an unorthodox approach to catching poachers who kill bears just to harvest their gall bladders for folk medicine. Using real bear paws to mask his tracks and scent in order to fake a bear presence, Boyd hopes to lure poachers into a trap and catch them red-handed. While in San Francisco, Warden O’Brien organizes a saturation patrol of Chinatown, known as a hotbed for illegal trading in exotic species and animal parts.

Wild Justice: Deer Meat for Meth
Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
Poachers often operate under cover of darkness, and so do the wardens. Wardens Beals and Martignoni are on the hunt for a serial poacher illegally killing pregnant does. And on Halloween night, it’s a deadly serious game of trick or treat as a special operations unit apprehends a suspect caught with a stash of illegal deer meat and marijuana. Then, in an upscale community of Grass Valley, residents have discovered stray arrows outside their homes, and the wardens rush in hoping to avert an accidental death.

Wild Justice: Felony Friday
Wednesday, December 15, 2010, at 10 PM ET/PT
The wardens head out to sea in search of illegal fishermen loaded with guns, knives and drugs. The team makes several stops along the way checking for fishing permits and marijuana possession. But even as they enjoy wildlife they have sworn to protect when they spot dolphins, they’re immersed in an investigation involving a sea lion shot in the face. Then, in the remote woods of Feather Falls, Lieutenant Castillo must rally his team to take down a mountain lion poacher with a history of violence.

Wild Justice is produced by Original Productions for the National Geographic Channel. For Original Productions, executive producer is Thom Beers. For NGC, executive producer is Kathleen Cromley, senior vice president of production is Michael Cascio, executive vice president of content is Steve Burns. www.natgeotv.com.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010


Helen Mirren sparkled on the red carpet at the UK Film Premiere of Red in Chopard’s white gold hoop earrings with briolette cut diamonds, a diamond bracelet, and a beautiful ring set with 30 white fancy cut diamonds, all from Chopard’s Haute Joaillerie collection. (Rex)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Do You Dream of Jeannie?


I Dream of Jeannie Returns to TV Land

“I Dream of Jeannie” returns to TV Land with episodes such as when Jeannie (Barbara Eden) and astronaut Captain Tony Nelson (Larry Hagman) first meet, when Jeannie remembers she is invisible in photos and scrambles to find a solution for this on her wedding day and when she tries to help Tony prepare for a celebration for Captain Peterson and duplicates a special guest - Sammy Davis Jr. Throughout the course of the series, Jeannie’s powers, hilarious blunders and outlandish schemes were so endearing that they eventually turned this duo from genie and master into husband and wife. ”I Dream of Jeannie” airs Monday-Friday 10AM -11AM ET/PT and Saturday and Sunday 12PM-2PM ET/PT on TV Land.

Inspired by the successful classic sitcom “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie” aired from 1965-1970 on NBC and made actors Barbara Eden, Larry Hagman and Bill Daily household names. The series begins when astronaut Tony Nelson’s (Hagman) space mission is aborted and he parachutes onto a deserted island. While waiting to be rescued, he notices a strange-looking bottle that has washed ashore. When he opens it, in a puff of smoke out pops a genie named Jeannie (Eden) Jeannie gets him back to civilization safely, goes along for the ride and the two return to his home in Florida. Delighted to revel in her freedom and her handsome "master," Jeannie becomes Tony's constant companion. Though she capably and willingly grants her master every wish with the blink of an eye and a nod of the head, she causes more than her fair share of trouble because she pops up in all the wrong places and at all the wrong times. The base psychiatrist, Dr. Alfred Bellows (Hayden Rorke) is convinced that Tony is suffering from delusions. Only his best friend, girl-crazy fellow astronaut Roger Healy (Bill Daily) realizes that Jeannie really exists and has magical powers. In the final seasons, Tony finally realizes he loves Jeannie and decides to marry her.

Friday, October 22, 2010


Project Runway Guru Tim Gunn (who BeansTalk loves loves loves) guests on Monday's (25 October 2010) Gossip Girl. 9 p.m. the CW.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Coo-Coo for Coconut...Cream Pie



We Make Amends
Coconut Cream Pie

Several days ago, we did a "Random Bests" on baked goods and cited Coconut Cream Pie as our favorite dessert and gave the props to Coco's. This weekend we took out-of-town visitors to our favorite Downtown Los Angeles' stop, Philippe's. And had their Coconut Cream Pie for dessert ($2.90) and the sky opened up, the angels sang and peace ruled -- at least for the five minutes it took to share a slice. Last night we had Coco's CCP again and the difference -- and deficit was sadly apparent.

We hearby amend our choice and deem Philippe's the BEST Coconut Cream Pie.

Philippe's 
1001 North Alameda Street 
Los Angeles, CA 90012 213 628 3781 http://www.philippes.com/

Wednesday, October 20, 2010


Russell Brand wore a John Varvatos metallic grey leather jacket and FLPbynicolemurphy necklaces on The Ellen Degeneres Show on October 18, 2010. Friendship, Love & Peace collection can be viewed at http://friendshiplovepeace.com

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Woof!


Dogs Decoded

Dogs have been domesticated for longer than any other animal on the planet, and humans have developed a unique relationship with these furry friends. We treat our pets like a part of the family, and feel that they can understand us in a way other animals can't. Now, new research is revealing what dog lovers have suspected all along: Dogs have an uncanny ability to read and respond to human emotions. Humans, in turn, respond to dogs with the same hormone responsible for bonding mothers to their babies. How did this incredible relationship between humans and dogs come to be? And how can dogs, so closely related to fearsome wild wolves, behave so differently? It's all in the genes.

Dogs Decoded investigates new discoveries in genetics that are illuminating the origin of dog - with big implications for the evolution of human culture as well. In Siberia, the mystery of dogs' domestication is being repeated--in foxes. A fifty-year-old breeding program is creating an entirely new kind of creature, a tame fox with some surprising similarities to Man's Best Friend.

Dogs Decoded reveals the science behind the remarkable bond between humans and their dogs. Airs 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday 9 November 2010 on PBS

(Image: Cooper and Merrick Province, Century City, California)

Monday, October 18, 2010

Not-So Manic Monday


The Dandy Warhols Premiere
This Is The Tide on
AOL/Spinner
, Continue Fall Tour


The Dandy Warhols Collection: The Capitol Years: 1995-2007 On Now On Capitol/EMI; First Compilation Release Features 14 Dandy Classics and One New Song

A new CD and digital collection of 14 Dandy Warhols standout singles and album tracks, plus a new song, will be released by Capitol/EMI in North America on 24 August 2010. The Capitol Years: 1995-2007 is the Dandy Warhols’ first compilation release, spotlighting the influence the Portland, Oregon-based band has had, and continues to have, on modern music.

The Capitol Years: 1995-2007 is comprised of material culled from the Dandy Warhols’ four Capitol Records releases, The Dandy Warhols Come Down (1996), Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia (2000), Welcome To The Monkey House (2003), and Odditorium or Warlords of Mars (2005), plus a new song, “This Is The Tide,” which is exclusive to this release, and two tracks from The Dandy Warhols Are Sound (original mixes of The Monkey House, released in 2009), making it an essential addition to the Dandys’ recorded canon.

The Dandy Warhols Come Down, the band's second album and Capitol debut, was released in 1996 in the U.S. and in 1997 in Europe. The band first garnered international attention with "Not If You Were The Last Junkie On Earth."

Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia followed, and their audience grew: they now played to hundreds of thousands of rabid fans at festivals all over the world.

In 2003, Welcome To The Monkey House showcased Warhols experimenting with an ‘80s keyboard-driven sound.

Odditorium or Warlords of Mars was the first album the Dandy Warhols recorded at the Odditorium, the band’s new recording studio/practice space in Portland.

In 2008, setting out on their own, the band released Earth To The Dandy Warhols on their new label, Beat The World Records. Last summer, they released the original Russell Elevado (a GRAMMY-award winning soul mixing engineer) mixes of Welcome To The Monkey House under the title The Dandy Warhols Are Sound.

The Dandy Warhols will tour to major music festivals and theatres across Europe, followed by North American dates into the fall. European festivals confirmed to date include Switzerland’s Blue Balls Festival, France’s Rock Festival and Secretes Festival, and Portugal’s Coura Festival. Additional dates will be announced.

www.dandywarhols.com
www.myspace.com/thedandywarhols
www.twitter.com/thedandywarhols

The Dandy Warhols: The Capitol Years: 1995-2007 (CD, digital)
1. Boys Better
2. Every Day Should Be A Holiday
3.Not If Your Were The Last Junkie On Earth
4. Good Morning
5. Godless
6. Get Off
7. Bohemian Like You
8. We Used To Be Friends
9. Scientist [Are Sound Version]
10. The Last High
11. Plan A [Are Sound Version]
12. Holding Me Up
13. All The Money Or The Simple Life Honey
14. Smoke It
15. This Is The Tide [NEW RECORDING]

US Dates

10/28 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Cafe
10/29 - Madison, WI - Majestic Theatre
10/30 - Chicago, IL - Vic Theatre
11/01 - Toronto, ON - Phoenix Concert Theatre
11/02 - Montreal, QB - Le National
11/03 - Boston, MA - Royale Nightclub
11/05 - Brooklyn, NY - Bell House
11/06 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
11/09 - Baltimore, MD - Rams Head Live
11/10 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
11/11 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage
11/13 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
11/14 - Austin, TX - La Zona Rosa
12/01 - Victoria, BC - Sugar
12/02 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
12/03 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Market
12/07 - Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up
12/08 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Cafe
12/10 - Los Angeles, CA - Club Nokia
12/11 - San Francisco, CA - Regency Ballroom
12/12 - Portand, OR - Crsytal Ballroom

Friday, October 15, 2010

Fashion Friday



Sweater Dresses

As the weather cools, you stay cozy

Today BeansTalk takes a look at the little sweater dress, which can be found on racks in every department store, tony or discount. We've offered a little sampling of what's available. For the very bargain conscious (we must put ourselves in that category), you can find the look for less at TJ Maxx, Marshall's and Ross (name brands) and for the mid-market shopper, check out Kohl's, JC Penney's, Sears and Macy's.

Pair these dresses with the popular over-the-knee boots, or with tights and booties, or for the more collegiate look, tights and oxfords or loafers.

Alexander McQueen McQ Black Sweater With Grey Brush Stroke
Cowl neck.
Grey brush stroke accents across the front and right shoulder.
Leg of mutton sleeves.
Straight cut bottom hem.
36" length.
80% viscose and 20% virgin wool.
Hand wash cold, reshape, and lay flat to dry.
Made in Italy.

$500

Laundry by Shelli Segal


Laundry by Shelli Segal Bell Sleeve Multi Color Stitch Sweater Dress

Scoop neck.
Long flared sleeves.
Adjustable waist tie.
30" dress length.
54% merino wool, 36% rayon, 5% nylon, 3% polyester, 2% metallic.
Dry clean only.
Imported.

$229

Tahari


Tahari Arthur S. Levine

Lovely little black dress with a matching cropped cardigan for versatility and comfort.
The cardigan features a decorative neckline and three-quarter sleeves with matching cuffs.
Chic black dress features a modest v-neckline.
34" dress length.
100% polyester.
Lining: 100% acetate.
Dry clean only.

$202

Jones New York


Jones New York Signature Cowl Dress
Cowl neck for added style.
Long sleeves for extra warmth.
Falls right at knee.
Slip on for easy on and off.
40" dress length.
100% merino wool.
Dry clean only.

$109

Cheap Monday


Cheap Monday Blair Sweater Dress

This crew-neck open-knit sweater dress features slubbed and faux-fur stripes. Ribbed edges. Long sleeves. Sheer.

31" long, measured from shoulder.
Fabrication: Open knit.
62% acrylic/35% polyester/3% wool.
Wash cold.
Imported.

$80

Dolce Vita


Dolce Vita Sweater Dress

Life's a little sweeter in a sweater-dress. Inspired by a '60s-vintage style, this casually chic knit dress in a flattering, relaxed silhouette is easily dressed up or down. The perfect backdrop to play with belts, boots and tights, it features a ribbed, cowl turtleneck; elbow-length raglan sleeves; and a slightly shaped waist. Falls just above the knee. 58% acrylic, 16% nylon, 13% wool, 13% alpaca. Hand wash. Imported in Turquoise; Brown.

$79

DKNY Jeans


DKNY Jeans Juniors 3/4 Slv Bateau Drop Needle Dress
Rounded neck.
Long sleeves.
A flowy, loose fitting dress on top and form-fitting at the bottom.
Asymmetrical drop needle stitch accents at sides.
Banded at waist for a flattering fit.
Falls above the knees.
56% cotton, 44% acrylic.
Machine wash warm, tumble dry low.

$63

Amish at the Altar

Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on National Geographic Channel

In an age when online dating and reality TV abound, Amish romance looks anything but modern. Three couples — two Amish and one ex-Amish — open their private lives to NGC and share the traditions underlying courtship, engagement and marriage in Amish culture. From Rumspringa, the once-in-a-lifetime experience of a world outside the fold, to an intensive 18-week period of church evaluation that would test any couple’s commitment, NGC cameras capture the details as the community prepares for the highly anticipated weddings. (Image from amishgonewild.blogspot.com)

Thursday, October 14, 2010



TCM's Baseball Movie Marathon

As the Major League Baseball playoffs heat up, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), offers up the network’s list of 10 Favorite Baseball Movies.

The list includes the The Bad News Bears (1976; see photo), Bull Durham (1988) and Field of Dreams (1989); the biographical dramas The Pride of the Yankees (1943), The Stratton Story (1949) and The Jackie Robinson Story (1950), the latter with Jackie Robinson himself in the lead role; the Harold Lloyd comedy Speedy (1928), featuring an appearance by Babe Ruth (see photo of Ruth with Lloyd); the lavish musicals Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1949) and Damn Yankees (1958); and John Sayles’ evocative “Black Sox” drama, Eight Men Out (1988).



Baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., who is serving as studio analyst for TBS’s playoff coverage, considers Bull Durham his favorite. He also has a personal family connection to the film. “My dad managed Ron Shelton, the film’s director, in the minor leagues,” Ripken said, “so I’ve always had a soft spot for Bull Durham. It is a pretty accurate portrayal of minor league ball, and it is one of the funniest baseball movies ever.”



Hall of Fame pitcher Dennis Eckersley, who also serves as a TBS studio analyst for the playoffs, said that although his personal favorite baseball film – 1999’s For Love of the Game – didn’t make TCM’s list, he has a lot of admiration for the films that were included, especially Bull Durham. “It’s really funny and stirs up a lot of minor league memories,” he said.



Here is the complete list of TCM’s 10 Favorite Baseball Movies, listed in chronological order:



Speedy (1928) – Directed by Ted Wilde

Babe Ruth never got a decent shake on film. The two bios of him (one starring William Bendix in 1948, another with John Goodman in 1992) are among fans’ least favorite baseball films. The Sultan of Swat played himself in some film shorts and a few good scenes in The Pride of the Yankees (1942), but this 1928 slapstick comedy not only features him at the height of his career but also shows him in an actual game pitting the Yankees against the Chicago White Sox. As icing on the cake, it also features a walk-on by the notoriously shy Lou Gehrig and allows star Harold Lloyd, as a New York cabbie trying to save his future father-in-law’s trolley line, to capture the fervor of the baseball great’s fans. For movie buffs, Speedy is important as Lloyd’s last silent film. For sports fans, it’s a rare and loving tribute to one of the game’s greatest players.



The Pride of the Yankees (1943) – Directed by Sam Wood

Independent producer Sam Goldwyn’s relentless pursuit of quality, genius for casting and strong story sense helped make this the definitive sports biography. With a script focusing on the relationships that took Yankee great Lou Gehrig to the top – including his domineering mother, a sympathetic sports writer and a storybook romance with his wife – the film captured a human dimension many movie bios lack. With Gary Cooper and Teresa Wright perfect in the leads, it continues to win hearts with each new generation. For added authenticity, Goldwyn featured Gehrig’s teammates Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel, Mark Koenig and Bill Dickey, along with sportscaster Bill Stern. Ironically, Cooper played one of baseball’s most beloved players despite having no great affection for the game himself. During shooting, to turn the right-handed Cooper into the famed southpaw, director Sam Wood had signs and uniforms printed backwards, so the film could be flipped during editing.



The Stratton Story (1949) – Directed by Sam Wood

With his tall, lanky frame, James Stewart was perfectly cast as one of baseball’s great stars, but the Hollywood dictum that proclaimed sports films box-office poison kept him from doing it until 1949. Even then, MGM sold the film as “The True Romance of the Year,” hyping the marquee teaming of Stewart with June Allyson. But The Stratton Story was more than a romance. Chicago White Sox pitcher Monty Stratton’s fight to return to the game after losing his leg in a hunting accident is one of the sports world’s most inspirational stories. Stewart practiced ball five hours a day and consulted with physical therapists to get it just right. The result was a box office hit with an Oscar-winning screenplay. The best endorsement came from Stratton himself. After viewing Stewart – his personal choice to play himself on screen – he told the press, “He was more me than I am!”



Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1949) – Directed by Busby Berkeley

In 1949, baseball got the MGM musical treatment, complete with choreography by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, crooning by Frank Sinatra, swimming by Esther Williams, comedy by Betty Garrett and Jules Munshin and direction by Busby Berkeley (his last directing credit). Kelly and Donen conceived the idea for a musical about the game’s early days and sold it to MGM for $25,000. They even named the film for the Major League anthem, a 1908 song introduced by Nora Bayes that began popping up at ball games in 1934. They also threw in a musical tribute to the infield double-play as Sinatra, Kelly and Munshin sang “O’Brien to Ryan to Goldberg.” Originally, the stars were to have joined real-life manager Leo Durocher for the number. But even without him, the film lived up to its advertising as “A Homerun of Laughter, Romance and Fun.”



The Jackie Robinson Story (1950) – Directed by Alfred E. Green

Baseball players had appeared as themselves on screen before but, until 1950, there had never been a baseball biopic starring its subject. Then again, Jackie Robinson was used to doing what had never been done before. Made just three years after he broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier as its first African-American player, The Jackie Robinson Story celebrates his athleticism and strength of character and provides a daring look at racism in America. That it mirrored the subject in a time of widespread segregation can be credited to the film’s positioning itself, in the narrator’s words, as “The story of an American boy and a dream that is truly American.” Supported by gifted actors like Ruby Dee and Louise Beavers, Robinson acquitted himself respectably on screen. In addition, the camera managed to capture his tremendous skills on the field, including the legendary hook slide he used for stealing bases.



Damn Yankees (1958) – Directed by George Abbott and Stanley Donen

What die-hard baseball fan hasn’t considered selling his or her soul to the devil for a shot at the World Series? Warner Bros. released the screen’s greatest baseball musical by starting with a great baseball story. Joe Boyd signs a demonic contract for the youth and talent to take the Washington Senators to the top. Director George Abbott first made the show a hit on Broadway and, as he had done the year earlier with The Pajama Game, shared directing chores with Stanley Donen. He also imported most of the original cast, including Ray Walston as the Devil, Gwen Verdon as his seductive assistant Lola, and choreographer Bob Fosse, who joins Verdon for the number “Who’s Got the Pain?” For marquee power, Warner Bros. planned to feature James Dean as the rejuvenated “Shoeless Joe From Hannibal Mo.” His death gave teen heartthrob Tab Hunter the role of a lifetime – a challenge he more than met.



The Bad News Bears (1976) – Directed by Michael Ritchie

The screen’s most popular depiction of Little League baseball isn’t some dewy-eyed vision of innocent love for the game. It’s a genially foul-mouthed comedy about a team of misfits and losers with a grouchy, beer-swilling coach. Although the role seems a perfect fit for Walter Matthau, the era’s funniest curmudgeon, screenwriter Bill Lancaster modeled it on his father, Burt Lancaster, notorious as the grumpiest Little League coach in Southern California. The feel-good story, with Matthau bringing new life to the team by recruiting sassy female pitcher Tatum O’Neal and local bad boy Jackie Earle Haley, made the picture a box office winner that inspired two sequels starring Haley, a TV series and a 2005 remake. Its lasting appeal derives from the fact that there’s more to the film than dirty words and foul balls. It also offers a very funny take on the competition underlying both sports and modern life.



Bull Durham (1988) – Directed by Ron Shelton

Hailed by many as the definitive baseball movie, this 1988 romantic comedy captures both the legends of the game and its harsher realities. Writer/director Ron Shelton drew on his experiences as a minor league player to craft the story of an aging catcher (Kevin Costner) brought on by the minor league Durham Bulls to help train a powerful but uneven new pitcher (Tim Robbins). Shelton had the inspiration to tell the story through the eyes of Annie Savoy (Susan Sarandon), a baseball fanatic who “trains” one of the Bulls each year – in bed. With its witty script and career-building performances, Bull Durham not only regularly tops lists of baseball films but also lists of love stories and comedies. The spell Shelton and his actors cast is so powerful that even those who don’t care for the game of baseball end up, like Annie, a fervent believer in “the Church of Baseball.”



Eight Men Out (1988) – Directed by John Sayles

John Sayles captures one the saddest chapters in baseball history in this elegiac look at the loss of innocence. Set in 1919, when the sport was still young and far from tabloid headlines about steroids, the movie tells the story of how gamblers sought to bribe members of the Chicago White Sox to throw the 1919 World Series. Eight Men Out captures the beauty of the game, the bad working conditions that inspired the players to sell out and the heartbreaking aftermath when the team was dubbed the Black Sox and eight players were barred from baseball for life. It took Sayles 10 years to get his script to the screen, by which time he was too old to play one of the team as originally planned. Instead, he cast actors who played well and loved the game. The result was series of compelling character portraits from D.B. Sweeney as the virtually illiterate “Shoeless” Joe Jackson; John Cusack as the film’s moral centerpiece, third baseman Buck Weaver; David Strathairn as the conflicted pitcher Eddie Cicotte; and John Mahoney as manager William “Kid” Gleason, whose heart is broken by the scandal.



Field of Dreams (1989) – Phil Alden Robinson

Baseball as a poetic reminder of America’s past innocence is at the heart of this gentle fantasy based on a book by W.P. Kinsella. The tale centers on an Iowa farmer (Kevin Costner) who hears a voice in his cornfield telling him, “If you build it, he will come.” With encouragement from his wife (Amy Madigan), he sets out to build a baseball field on his best farmland, even though it could mean losing the entire farm. Once the field is complete, it becomes home to baseball greats of the past – including “Shoeless” Joe Jackson (Ray Liotta), disgraced star of the Chicago White Sox – who emerge from the cornfield to relive their baseball dreams. Released on the heels of Costner’s baseball classic Bull Durham (1988), Field of Dreams helped cement the actor’s position as a major star. It also provides a great role for Hollywood legend Burt Lancaster in one of his last big-screen appearances. Field of Dreams has earned a special place in the hearts of everyone with fond memories of a simpler past, when the highlight of a boy’s day would be to play catch with his father.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010
















Dress Like Freida Pinto For Less


Freida Pinto (seen above) chose a Stella McCartney dress with Roger Vivier shoes and bags to a screening of her new movie, Miral, during the 9 October 2010 Hamptons International Film Festival held at a United Artists movie theater. Pinto attended the event with the film's director Julian Schnabel and writer Rula Jebreal. Miral concerns an orphaned Palestinian girl growing up in the wake of the first Arab-Israeli war who finds herself drawn into the conflict and opens on 9 December 2010.

Albert Makali has an animal print dress (also seen above) to get Pinto's look for less ($358).


Don't Forget the Shoes!

Get Freida Pinto's complete look:

Roger Vivier black patent leather pumps with buckle-ish accent, left, $595



Fitzwell Varali, right, also in patent leather, with an accent, on sale at Zappos for $63.





















Get Her Look: The cast of "Slumdog Millionaire" (L-R) Dev Patel, Freida Pinto and Anil Kapoor in Los Angeles, California. Albert Makali also has designed a similar crushed metallic taffeta one shoulder dress ($510)

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

A Trio of Hollywood Break-Ups

Actress Courtney Cox Arquette and her husband, actor David Arquette kiss as actress Laura Dern looks on Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals basketball series in Los Angeles, California, June 17, 2010.

Laura Dern and her soon-to-be ex, Grammy winner Ben Harper

Christina Aguilera and Jordan Bratman

Breaking Up

It's Called a Break Up
Because It's Broken


And despite the denials that she's involved with one of her co-stars (Brian Van Holt, who plays Bobby, her character's ex), Courteney Cox has separated from her husband of 11 years, actor David Arquette. Their statement says:

"The reason for this separation is to better understand ourselves and the qualities we need in a partner and for our marriage," the statement said. "We remain best friends and responsible parents to our daughter and we still love each other deeply."

Of course they do. That's why they've separated.

And, after five years of marriage, two other famous couples have separated.

Christina Aguilar and her husband, producer Jordan Bratman have separated, complete with requisite statement that they remain completely committed to their two-year-old son, Max.

Singer Ben Harper has filed for divorce from his wife, actress Laura Dern, asking for joint custody of their two children. Harper noted in his petition that they have been separated since January.

Who's next? Despite their fervent protests to the contrary, we have a sneaking suspicion it could be the Twitter-happy Kutchers.

Morgan Freeman To Receive
AFI's Life Achievement Award


Morgan Freeman has been selected by the American Film Institute's (AFI) Board of Trustees to receive the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award, the highest honor for a career in film, it was announced by Sir Howard Stringer, Chair of the AFI Board of Trustees.

The award will be presented to Freeman at a tribute on Thursday, June 9, 2011 in Los Angeles, CA. TV Land will broadcast the 39th AFI Life Achievement Award tribute on TV Land PRIME later in June 2011.

“Morgan Freeman is an American treasure,” said Stringer. “Across decades, whether playing a prisoner, a president or God, he embodies a calm authority that demands respect for the character and for the art form. His gifts to the cultural record are also underscored by his unmistakable voice that echoes through the hearts and minds of movie lovers around the world. AFI is proud to present him with its 39th Life Achievement Award."

Last year’s AFI Tribute to Mike Nichols brought together the film community in unprecedented fashion, including Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, Candice Bergen, Cher, Michael Douglas, Nora Ephron, Calista Flockhart, Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Eric Idle, Shirley MacLaine, Elaine May, Jack Nicholson, Mary Louise Parker, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Sigourney Weaver, Robin Williams and a special musical performance by Simon and Garfunkel.

About Morgan Freeman
Academy Award®-winning actor Morgan Freeman is one of the most recognizable figures in American cinema. His works are among the most critically and commercially successful films of all time and Freeman himself ranks 10th among worldwide top-grossing actors of all time. His films have earned over $3 billion in cumulative ticket sales. Whether a role requires an air of gravitas; a playful smile, twinkle of the eye or a world-weary, yet insightful soul, Freeman's ability to delve to the core of a character and infuse it with a quiet dignity has resulted in some of the most memorable portrayals ever recorded on film.

Freeman won the Academy Award® in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Million Dollar Baby.” In 1990 he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor for his performance in “Driving Miss Daisy.” Freeman also received an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for Best Supporting Actor for “Street Smart” and in 1994 for Best Actor for “The Shawshank Redemption.”

In 2000 Freeman was honored with the Hollywood Actor Award from the Hollywood Film Festival. Eight years later he received the coveted Kennedy Center Honor for his distinguished acting.

In 2010 he received an Academy Award® nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and a Broadcast Critics Association nomination for his performance as Nelson Mandela in the acclaimed film “Invictus.” He also won the National Board of Review award for Best Actor and was the film’s executive producer. The picture was produced by Revelations Entertainment, the company he co-founded in 1996 with a mission to produce films that enlighten, express heart, and glorify the human experience. Other Revelations features include “Levity,” “Under Suspicion,” “Mutiny,” “Bopha!”, “Along Came a Spider,” “Feast of Love,” “10 Items or Less” and “Maiden Heist.”

Freeman’s credits include Summit Entertainment’s comedic espionage thriller “Red,” “The Dark Knight,” “The Bucket List,” “Glory,” “Clean and Sober,” “Lean on Me,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “Unforgiven,” “Se7en,” “Kiss the Girls,” “Amistad,” “Deep Impact,” “Nurse Betty,” “The Sum of All Fears,” “Bruce Almighty, “Nurse Betty,” ”Coriolanus,” “Attica,” “Brubaker,” “Eyewitness,” “Death of a Prophet” and “Along Came a Spider.” He also narrated two Academy Award® documentaries “The Long Way Home” and “The March of The Penguins.” His next film “Dolphin’s Tale” begins production in the fall of 2010.

After beginning his acting career on the off-Broadway stage productions of “The Niggerlovers” and the all- African-American production of “Hello Dolly”, Freeman segued into television. Many people grew up watching him on the long-running Children's Television Workshop classic “The Electric Company”, where he played several recurring characters. Looking for his next challenge, he set his sights on both The Great White Way and silver screen simultaneously and quickly began to fill his resume with memorable performances.

In 1978 Freeman won a Drama Desk Award his role as Zeke in “The Mighty Gents.” He also received a Tony Nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor.

His stage work continued to earn him accolades and awards, including Obie Awards in 1980, 1984 and 1987 and a second Drama Desk Nomination in 1987 for the role of Hoke Colburn which he created for the Alfred Uhry play “Driving Miss Daisy” and reprised in the 1989 movie of the same name.

In his spare time, Freeman loves the freedom of both sea and sky; he is a long-time sailor and has earned a private pilot’s license. He also has a love for the blues and seeks to keep it in the forefront through his Ground Zero club in Clarksville, Mississippi, the birthplace of the blues. In 1973 he co-founded the Frank Silvera Writers' Workshop, now in its 37th season. The workshop seeks to serve successful playwrights of the new millennium. He is a member of the Board of Directors of Earth Biofuels, a company whose mission is to promote the use of clean-burning fuels. He also supports Artists for a New South Africa and the Campaign for Female Education.

About the AFI Life Achievement Award

The highest honor given for a career in film, the AFI Life Achievement Award was established by the AFI Board of Trustees on February 26, 1973. It is presented to a single honoree each year based on the following criteria as mandated through a resolution passed by the AFI Board of Trustees:

"The recipient should be one whose talent has in a fundamental way advanced the film art; whose accomplishment has been acknowledged by scholars, critics, professional peers and the general public; and whose work has stood the test of time."

AFI Life Achievement Award Recipients

Morgan Freeman joins an esteemed group of individuals who have been chosen for this distinguished honor since its inception in 1973.

1973 John Ford

1974 James Cagney

1975 Orson Welles

1976 William Wyler

1977 Bette Davis

1978 Henry Fonda

1979 Alfred Hitchcock

1980 James Stewart

1981 Fred Astaire

1982 Frank Capra

1983 John Huston

1984 Lillian Gish

1985 Gene Kelly

1986 Billy Wilder

1987 Barbara Stanwyck

1988 Jack Lemmon

1989 Gregory Peck

1990 David Lean

1991 Kirk Douglas

1992 Sidney Poitier

1993 Elizabeth Taylor

1994 Jack Nicholson

1995 Steven Spielberg

1996 Clint Eastwood

1997 Martin Scorsese

1998 Robert Wise

1999 Dustin Hoffman

2000 Harrison Ford

2001 Barbra Streisand

2002 Tom Hanks

2003 Robert De Niro

2004 Meryl Streep

2005 George Lucas

2006 Sean Connery

2007 Al Pacino

2008 Warren Beatty

2009 Michael Douglas

2010 Mike Nichols

About the American Film Institute

AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work, and to educate the next generation of storytellers. As a national, public-supported educational and cultural organization, AFI provides leadership in film, television and digital media and is dedicated to initiatives that engage the past, the present and the future of the moving image arts.

AFI preserves the legacy of America’s film heritage through the AFI Catalog of Feature Films, an authoritative record of American films from 1893 to the present, and the AFI Archives, which contains rare footage from across the history of the moving image.

AFI honors the artists and their work through a variety of annual programs and special events, including the AFI Life Achievement Award and AFI Awards. For 39 years, the AFI Life Achievement Award has remained the highest honor for a career in film while AFI Awards, the institute’s almanac for the 21st century, honors the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year. AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and definitive movie reference lists, as well as AFI Night at the Movies, have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers. And as the largest nonprofit exhibitor in the United States, AFI offers film enthusiasts a variety of events throughout the year, including AFI Fest presented by Audi, the longest running international film festival in Los Angeles; AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs, the largest documentary festival in the US; and year-round programming at the AFI Silver Theatre in the Washington, D.C. area.

AFI educates the next generation of storytellers at its world-renowned AFI Conservatory, offering a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree in six filmmaking disciplines: Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Producing, Production Design and Screenwriting. AFI also explores new digital technologies through special workshops.

Additional information about AFI is available at AFI.com.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Dr. Who News


Dr. Who To Film In
U.S. For First Time


The BBC announced that season six of Doctor Who will feature a two-parter set in the U.S. and penned by ‘Who supremo’ Steven Moffat.

In the special two-parter co-produced with BBC America, key scenes will be filmed in Utah for a story set in the late ‘60s in which the Doctor, Amy and Rory find themselves on a secret summons that takes them on an adventure from the desert in Utah - right to the Oval Office itself.

Production on episodes one and two of the new season starts in Cardiff this month and Matt Smith, Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill will then travel to America in mid-November to shoot pivotal scenes. They will also be joined by Alex Kingston who reprises her role as River Song.

The new season follows on from the Doctor Who Christmas special guest starring Katherine Jenkins and Michael Gambon which is due to premiere during the holiday season.

Season six will start airing on BBC America in spring 2011 and has been split into two blocks, with the second block airing in autumn 2011. By splitting the series Moffat plans on cliffhangers and plot twists leaving viewers waiting until autumn to find out what happens.

This year (2010) has been a breakthrough year for the Doctor Who franchise across all platforms since BBC AMERICA became the official home of the series. The series reached the number one spot on the “Top TV Seasons” chart on iTunes and now Doctor Who: The Complete Fifth Season hits stores on Blu-ray and DVD on November 9, 2010.

Filming is taking place in Cardiff until March 2011.

Friday, October 08, 2010



Revlon® Supports Fight against Breast Cancer


Revlon®, which has partnered with The Entertainment Industry Foundation™, will donate proceeds* from their Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Pink Pursuit to fund breast cancer research around the country.

Ten-percent of sales of Pink Pursuit will be donated to the fight against breast cancer**. The Pink Pursuit lipgloss will bear the Breast Cancer Ribbon to distinguish from existing shades.

To date, The EIF Revlon® Run/Walk For Women has distributed over $60 million for Women’s Cancer research, education and support programs.

Revlon describes the gloss thusly:

Super Lustrous® Lipgloss - High-gloss Shine, Silky-smooth Feel

• 1 existing shade: Pink Pursuit
• SPF 15 protection and moisturizing care
• Exclusive LiquiSilk® formula with silk-enriched moisturizers and vitamins for intense moisture and an ultra-smooth feel
• Light-reflecting spheres create the ultimate shine
• Sheer, buildable coverage, doesn’t drag on application, non-sticky
• Wear alone or together to add depth and shine and extend the wear of
your Super Lustrous® Lipstick

Suggested retail price: $6.99
Availability: Drug and mass retailers nationwide

*Up to $100,000 annually to the Entertainment Industry Foundations Woman’s
Cancer Programs & Initiatives

Thursday, October 07, 2010




HGTV's Scary Halloween Houses

Professional designers help three families will turn their quiet suburban homes into a mystical and frightful sight for Halloween in HGTV's Halloween Block Party, premiering on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Host Sabrina Soto will take the fear out of holiday décor projects with the latest tricks in decor, food, table-scapes and entertainment.

The special highlights the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign, one of the longest running youth volunteer movements in America. HGTV.com will support the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign initiative with Halloween decorating ideas on HGTV.com, in the HGTV Ideas newsletter, on Facebook and Twitter.
http://www.hgtv.com/halloween-block-party-2010/halloween-block-party-2010/index.html

"This is the 60th anniversary for the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign," said Jim Samples, president, HGTV. "The program has raised more than $160 million dedicated to improve the welfare of children around the world. HGTV is proud to invite our viewers to contribute to UNICEF's impactful efforts."

During the special, interior designer Sandra Espinet will create a design inspired by Day of the Dead --a traditional Mexican celebration for children and adults. Sandra will work with the Littlejohn family to transform their home into a haunted house with a church façade and a communal area for food and drink.

The spookiness will continue with home furnishings designer, Kenneth Wingard, who will help the Donovan family tap into the current pop culture obsession with vampires - making their home a contemporary vampire lair. Kenneth's design will demonstrate how to create a cemetery, gargoyles and coffins. Later, designer Michelle Lynn Buckley will team up with the Buckley family to reveal her secrets for building an entire haunted carnival show including decorated traveling tents and a séance room with a fortune telling gypsy.

Halloween Block Party, premiering on Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.

Wednesday, October 06, 2010


Stars Shine at Annual
Young Hollywood Party


Young Hollywood stars attended Friday's (1 October 2010) Teen Vogue 8th Annual Young Hollywood Party in Partnership with Michael Kors. Guests included: Lily Collins, Lauren Conrad, Emma Roberts, Kelly Osbourne, Brittany Snow, Lo Bosworth, Kate Mara, Nikki Reed, Adam Gregory, Ryan Rottman, Crystal Reed, Shailene Woodley, Jessica Lowndes, Paul Iacono, Mark Indelicato, Brie Larson, Tristan Wilds, William Mosley, Lil' Romeo, Raven-Symoné, Chelsea Staub, Willa Holland, Skyler Samuels, Victoria Justice, Aimee Teegarden, Amanda Crew, Lucy Hale, Ashley Rickards, Bria Murphy, Alexa Chung, Agyness Deyn, Josh Hutcherson, Keke Palmer, AJ Michalka, Hayley Hasselhoff, Kay Panabaker, and Chord Overstreet.

Michael Kors
dressed Nikki Reed, Bella Heathcote, Brittany Snow, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Kate Mara, Lily Collins, Crystal Reed, Fitz & the Tantrums, Keke Palmer, AJ Michalka, Alexa Chung, Willa Holland, Meaghan Martin, Aimee Teagarden, Kay Panabaker. Victoria Justice, Erin Sanders, Ashley Rickards, Amanda Crew, Skyler Samuels, Renee Olstead, Ella Purnell, Lisa Love.


Teen Vogue celebrated the 8th anniversary of the annual Young Hollywood issue with a party set at The Studios at Paramount. Teen Vogue editors and Young Hollywood’s top talent came together to toast the October issue, which provides readers with a sneak peek of the next generation of superstars. The evening featured MICHAEL Michael Kors first fashion show debuting the Fall/ 2010 Holiday 20101 Collections. Photographer Douglas Friedman created a custom behind-the-scenes Hollywood set complete with backdrop & fashion props for key guests to pose with friends. Guests were also treated to a special performance by Fitz & the Tantrums and music by model and DJ television personality Alexa Chung.


Photo: Nikki Reed at the 8th Annual Teen Vogue Young Hollywood Party in partnership with Michael Kors Photo credit: Fame Pictures, Inc – Santa Monica, CA, USA – +1 (310) 395-0500

Tuesday, October 05, 2010



L.A. Bus Mechanic Wins
"She's got the Look"


Bus Mechanic And Mother of Two, 38, Receives Contract With Wilhelmina Models, Inc., Photo Spread In SELF Magazine

Marilin Archie was named the winner of season three of TV Land’s 35 and older modeling competition “She’s Got the Look.” Host Brooke Burke announced Marilin as the winner of the competition after she impressed the judges with her performance in the final runway challenge where she faced off against fellow finalists Julie Love-Templeton of Tuscaloosa, AL and Rachelle Love of Memphis, TN.

In the season finale, the three finalists were at a fashion show in an airport hanger complete with a jetliner and moving runway. Never having walked a runway and feeling timid, Julie failed to shine in front of the judges. Runner-up Rachelle never seemed to have gained confidence on the rotating platform and although her photos were remarkable throughout the competition, they weren’t enough to impress the judges over Marilin who, despite her non-traditional model body-type walked the runway with poise, confidence and star power.

Ultimately, the judges voted Marilin the winner of “She’s Got The Look,” which includes a modeling contract with Wilhelmina Models and a photo spread in Self Magazine.

Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Marilin Archie is a 38-year old married mother of two and is a certified bus mechanic for the Los Angeles Metro.

“She’s Got The Look” is a collaboration with Wilhelmina Models, Inc. and sets out to discover a woman over the age of 35 who has the potential to transform herself into a model, representing some of the most high-profile brands and highly-coveted campaigns in the fashion and beauty industries. Brooke Burke (“Dancing with the Stars, “Wild On”) joined the third season as host along with new judge, model Roshumba Williams and returning judges, celebrity stylist Robert Verdi and Wilhelmina president Sean Patterson.

“She’s Got The Look” airs in more than 70 countries, with the first three seasons sold around the world. It can be seen in France, Italy, Israel, Australia, Israel, Thailand, Korea, Holland and South Africa.

Marilin Archie: Los Angeles Bus Mechanic and "She's Got the Look" Winner, at work
Contestants from "She's Got the Look" (double click to enlarge image)

Monday, October 04, 2010

Where Celebrities Dine


Celebrity Sighting at
NYC's Via dei Mille


Canadian recording artist and actor Drake headed to Via dei Mille restaurant with a group of 12 people after his second performance at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Drake is best known for playing character Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation and has been nominated for several Grammys, two Juno Awards in 2010 for Best New Artist, and Rap Recording of the Year.

Via dei Mille owners Barry Mullineaux and Giuseppe Tuosto kept the restaurant open late just for Drake. The group included Compton, Calif.-native, rapper Tyga ("Coconut Juice"), who opened for Drake and is likely to know something about good food -- he's of Jamaican and Vietnamese descent. The large group arrived at 12:30 a.m. and did not leave the trendy SoHo eatery until after 2 a.m.

Via dei Mille
357 West Broadway
New York, NY 10013-2497
(212) 431-0080
(Subway: Canal Street)
www.viadeimilleny.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friday, October 01, 2010

Random Bests - Baked Goods



Best Baked Goods

BeansTalk rubbernecks -- for bakeries! We love sweets, but we really, really love our baked goods.

Best of Bests: Oatmeal Cookies

Mendocino Farms, Marina del Rey, Calif. Here is an oatmeal cookie (with raisins) to satisfy those of who like a crunch, and those who like a thick cookie which manages to be dense, but never dry. It's definitely sweet, but not cloyingly so. Mendocino Farms 444 S. Flower St, Downtown LA :: 213.627.3262 | 300 South Grand Ave, Downtown LA :: 213.620.1114 | 4724 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey :: 310.822.2300 www.mendocinofarms.com

Best of Bests: Cake


Cake

The all-time winner in the general cake field has to go to The Marzipan Cake at Our Daily Bread in Santa Barbara. This is a sensational cake to eat as slowly as possible, to make it last as long as possible. It's deceptively simple -- it appears as a plain round cake, without embellishments or decor, but to have a bite! Ah! This is not the marzipan mentioned below in under "cookie," which comes with a sweetened thick marzipan frosting and traditional marzipan inside. Here, the marzipan is baked into a soft, moist, but densely delicious cake. Our Daily Bread 831 Santa Barbara St Santa Barbara, CA 93101-2223 (805) 966-3894 Open Weekdays 6am-5:30pm

Best of the Bests: Cupcake

















Cupcake





Southern California: The Chocolate-Coconut Cupcake at Famous Cupcakes in Beverly Hills (the poster promotions of the Kardashian family, the shop's celebrity endorsement, is initially oft-putting, but trust us, our favorite cupcake, maybe ever, is worth it). This amazingly moist chocolate cake filled with whipped cream coconut and topped with same. It's one of their speciality cupcakes, so it's only available on Tuesdays and Fridays. $3. 168 S Beverly Dr Beverly Hills, CA 90212 (888) 774-9140 www.famouscupcakes.com

Northern California: The Coconut at Cako in San Francisco, which is also chocolate cake with coconut frosting. There's no filling in Cako's, but it is still extremely tasty. Runner up is The Carmel, chocolate cake with caramel frosting topped with a dash of sea salt. Yum. $3. Cako 211 O'Farrell Street (at Powell) San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415.404.7303 www.cakobakery.com